Zeb Walton (Grandpa)

He’s lovingly known as “Zeb” by his wife Esther, “Pa” by his son John, and “Grandpa” by the rest of the family. Grandpa cherishes his wife and prefers a simple life: working the saw-mill, fishing, botany, and playing with his grandkids. His easy-going, mischievous, and vibrant personality often finds him relaxing with the Baldwin sisters, happily sipping their “recipe.”

INSP viewers chose their favorite Walton – here’s what some said about Grandpa…

From ~ Bruce, Massachusetts

Because he is an ever present reminder to the family of what should be important. A true bridge for the families present to their ever important roots and past. He constantly reminds them of the good, pure and simple gifts that God the Father put here for us while all the time keeping the family and community grounded. Whether it is through lesson, example or a word of what was not common knowledge throughout the community, he was that decent moral fiber that ran through their tapestry in life.

From ~ Steven, Montana

His laughs and loving nature with his family. He is hard working and a bit stubborn. He makes Grandpa shine with the twinkles in his eyes. He shows his family that he loves them, especially his wife and all the grandkids. He makes my heart feel good.

From ~ Nancy, South Carolina

I like grandpa the best because of his wisdom and the way he tries to teach the grandkids about everyday life.

From ~ Greta, Tennessee

Zeb just brings a smile to my face! He’s always into something! He loves his family, his heritage and his beliefs. I love his laugh, his spirit and his energy. He reminds me of my dad, who’s gone now, but I think about him when I see Zeb.

From ~ Karen, Ohio

I just LOVE listening to Grandpa’s stories that he tells about the ‘good old days’. It reminds me so much of my grandpa and makes me miss him even more. I think I watch just to be reminded of him.

From ~ Robert, Oklahoma

Grandpa reminds me of my own grandfather, and watching him when I was younger. Now, after both he and my grandfather are gone, this is a good time to share the Waltons with my first grandson. We enjoy showing him the feeling we got watching the Waltons and sharing everything about that time!

From ~ Suzette, Ohio

Grandpa Walton was the most well rounded character of our time. He was the perfect combination of strength, humor, mischief, love, wisdom, and gentleness. He is what we all aspire to be in our sunset years.

From ~ Peggy, Pennsylvania

Grandpa shows a genuine spirit in his character. He is likable, kind, and reliable. He has a sense of humor and can be counted on to mesh really well with all the other people on the show. Grandpa has a love for his family and friends as well as for God and all the living things in nature that He created. Grandpa was not THE main character, but to me he made the program a success!

From ~ Douglas, Missouri

I like Grandpa because he is a mischevious old man, who really cares for others. He is what I would want my Grandpa to be if I had one, fun-loving and full of life with more than a few stories to tell. Sometimes the stories might be embelished but he means no harm. Grandpa Walton was always willing to listen and help solve problems with years of wisdom and lots of love.

From ~ Jolene, Georgia

Grandpa was everything a Grandfather should be. He was sly as a fox, knew all about nature and animals, full of wisdom and advice if you needed it, but always full of mischief, ready for fun if he got a chance! He was smart and funny. He always made me either laugh or cry. Grandpa was the heart of the Walton family!

From ~ Cynthia, Texas

He is witty and funny. He knows so much about nature and the moutain. He is the grandpa I always wanted and never had.

From ~ Deborah, West Virginia

Grandpa is gentle and loving. He is always willing to teach the children what he knows. He is always there to offer guidance without interfering. I always wanted my grandpa to be like him.

From ~ Edna, Kentucky

Grandpa Walton is my favorite, because I never knew either of my grandpas. They had both passed when I was born, and I always thought if i’d had a grandpa I would have wanted him to be just like Grandpa Walton. This is my favorite show of all times and to this day almost every time it comes on i say, I WANT TO BE A WALTON!

From ~ JoAnn, Colorado

I Love Grandpa Walton! I love his laugh, his wisdom, and the way he loves Grandma (the ole girl!). He makes me giggle, he makes me cry, and he makes me wish that I was his Granddaughter. How wonderful to have a Grandpa like that! How wonderful to be a Walton! Thank you INSP for sharing “The Waltons” with us – I forgot how much I love and miss this show. I never missed an episode as a teenager and I haven’t missed an episode since you started airing it again. I dread the one where Grandpa dies. I cried 34 years ago and I will cry again. What a loss for the show and in real life! I love you Grandpa Walton – I love you Will Geer! Faithfully and Forever a Walton Fan!

From ~ Tonda, North Carolina

My grandpa passed when I was nine months old so I never got to know him. I would watch The Waltons and think that if my grandpa lived, he would be just like Grandpa Walton.

From ~ Pollyanna, New Hampshire

He loves all in his family unconditionally. He is always looking for a chance to be mischievous, whether that is a sip of the recipe, or ribbing Grandma. He always had a twinkle in his eye. Grandpa was a wealth of love and gave his time sharing and guiding his family through difficult times. He was my dream Grandpa! Where can we find another one!

From ~ Tammy, Virginia

I loved Grandpa, with his stories, and his love of the mountains. He loved the land and really loved his family. It makes you wish everyone had a grandpa like him. He was just such a big kid at heart!

From ~ Denise, Pennsylvania

Grandpa always reminds me of my Gramps, strong and always happy about life. He make me laugh and cry at the same time. I miss my Gramps every time I watch The Waltons because The Waltons was his favorite TV program. I miss Grampa and I miss Grandpa Walton, two of the greatest men who ever lived.

From ~ Carol, California

I never had the opportunity to meet any of my grandparents. When I was little and watched the show, I always wished if I had a grandfather, he would be just like Will Geer. Even as an adult, when I see “Grandpa” I wish he was mine.

From ~ Karen, Iowa

Grandpa was fun! He was kind, loving and gentle with that little twinkle in his eyes. He was just a pleasure to watch!

From ~ Lillian, California

Though I share a birthday with Richard Thomas, (June 13th) my favorite Walton is Grandpa because of his spunk, spirit, integrity and personality. He guides and protects his family and has a child-like playfulness. I was devastated when he passed away.

From ~ Sheila, Illinois

I love all The Waltons, but grandpa is my favorite because he reminds me so much of my own grandpa. I am watching an episode now where grandpa takes a green onion and just takes a bite out of it. My grandpa used to go to his garden and pull a green onion and slap it against his leg to knock of some of the dirt then take a big bite out of it. I love this show so much I could watch it all day every day. I’m so glad INSP put it on there line up. Thank you so much.

From ~ Diana, Ohio

I love Grandpa Walton for his wisdom of nature and the respect of taking care of what God gave us to use. I appreciate his love of family close and distant. He lived life to the fullest with love, fun and even a little cunning way he had of doing things to meet the needs of his family. Even in hard times, he was the rock of the family, a gental giant and there for advice when needed. He took the time to pass down what he knew to all that would listen. His way of helping the children learn right from wrong was dear to me. He reminded me of my grandfather in many ways: nature, family, enjoying life in times of nut hunting, swiming in the creeks, berry picking, walks in woods and knowing all the trees and plants, things today’s children don’t know or do. All the Waltons are favorites in some ways but grandpa is the most special to me.

From ~ Becky, Ohio

Grandpa is my favorite because he lives life loving God and has the best outlook on life. He reminds me of my own Gandpa.

From ~ Merry, Ohio

He reminds me of my own grandpa, and I love his outlook on life. I also enjoy the way he teases Grandma.

From ~ Veronica, Ohio

He feels things deeply to his soul. He has a love of his family, especially for his wife. He’s an honorable man with a spark for excitement.

From ~ Marti, Florida

He is funny, sentimental, smart and reminds me of my own dad with always something good to say. He loves to give advice and is so loving with Grandma, teasing her just like my daddy used to tease my mother. I love his rough look and he’s so handsome in his suit when he’s all dressed up for different affairs. He is the type of grandpa everyone wishes they had. My daddy was special. I used to tell him he looked and acted like Grandpa Walton…love that man!!!!!!! He felt proud to be like Grandpa Walton. He thought it was neat. Daddy loved the Waltons. He loved the feisty grandma. My daddy died at 94 last year and still loved watching The Waltons.

From ~ Ellen, West Virginia

He reminds me of my own grandpa. We seldom got to see him so when we were able to visit that made the visits more special!! As a person grows older with thier own resposiblities and the fast pace of life, you watch this movie and wish sometimes you were able to live life as they did. Nowadays no one has the time to visit or sit and enjoy family or friends like in the past and that’s a shame.

From ~ Scott, North Carolina

I always thought Grandpa was somebody you could look up to with his advice and his wisdom. He also had a very humorous side to him. Best of all, he and Grandma were totally devoted to each other.

From ~ Carolyn, West Virginia

Grandpa was a wise man. I loved the way he loved laughter and taught the kids all about nature and life. He loved to tease. Watching him makes me laugh, also at times cry, but I am always glad that I watched The Waltons.

From ~ Rebecca, Indiana

I love his attitude. He is loving and funny, a laid back and gentle giant. He loves to kid, but he also is very wise. Grandpa loves his family. He is charming, but he would defend his family if needed. I would love to have had a grandpa like him.

From ~ David, Missouri

He was little rough but a sweet old man. Kinda like me.